The T-6A Texan II, produced by Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon), is the primary training aircraft for the U.S.A.F., U.S.N., N.A.T.O., Greece, and most recently Iraq. Just like its original namesake, it is also capable of assuming the light attack role. It has replaced earlier advanced trainer aircraft in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy.

While outwardly virtually identical in appearance to a PC9, Beechcraft tells us that their T-6A Texan II is an entirely different aircraft that doesn't share a single part with its predecessor.
They point out that the predecessor of the T6A Texan II was used as an initial structure from which systems were developed to create the aircraft. The resulting new aircraft won the Joint Primary Aircraft System (JPATS) contract of the United States.

During development of the T6A Texan II, incremental changes to the basic design were made over a period during which test aircraft were flown over 500 times. The goal was to improve aircraft performance while not affecting positive attributes of the base aircraft.

Initial upgrades involved a restructured rear fuselage, improving structural integrity and handling, a revised pressurized canopy, an enlarged engine cowl for better access, a more powerful and efficient engine, and a digitized throttle management system for better response.

The T6A Texan II incorporating the improvements was tested for an additional 200 flights, checking all systems to ensure proper functions. Additional modifications were made to this second aircraft including a system allowing all of the aircraft's fuel tanks to be refueled from one place on the fuselage. New zero-zero ejection seats were installed
for greater crew protection. The canopy was reinforced to provide greater strength against foreign object strikes. The cockpit layout was redesigned so that people of all sizes would be comfortable in the aircraft and air conditioning flow was increased.

Again, extensive testing of yet another T6A Texan II prototype aircraft, incorporating all the improvements, was undergone. The aircraft received LCD displays which are more readable in a bright light environment, the latest avionics mounted for easy maintenance, and 1 1/2 degrees of positive wing incidence
added for a better view by the instructor over the aircraft's nose. Additional improvements and additions included a self contained oxygen generator, lower maintenance hydraulics, and more advanced anti-corrosive paints. A new stronger undercarriage was designed for the less than perfect landings experienced in training aircraft.

The result was the current T-6A Texan II, an aircraft with higher performance, lower maintenance, and a longer service life expectancy than its predecessor.

A total of over 635 T-6A Texan II aircraft are already flying. Iraq has ordered an additional 24 T-6A's for their air force, and most recently New Zealand has purchased a total of 11 of the aircraft. About 600 additional aircraft are expected to be ordered under JPATS contracts. It is anticipated that several hundred additional aircraft will be exported to allied nations.

T6A Texan II - NitroPlanes

The picture immediately above is the T-6A Texan II (PC9) for sale by NitroPlanes. It has a 72 1/2" wingspan and a length of 70". Power can come from a 1.60 2 C or
1.40 to 1.80 4C engines. Ready to fly it weighs around 11 lbs.

In the first picture below is the T-6A Texan II giant scale ARF airplane from VMAR.
Wingspan is 81", and length 63". For power you can use from .90 to 1.20 two stroke or from .90 to 1.55 four stroke engines. Ready to fly weight is about 10 1/2 lbs.

VMAR makes a smaller T-6A Texan II. It is .40 size with a wingspan of 58".

In the second picture below is the T-6A Texan II by Ultrafly. It is all foam with a wingspan of 32" and a length of 31". The motor recommended is a KMS 13/21. All up weight is around 1 lb. 3 oz.

Airborne Magazine.com has plans for a balsa and plywood T-6A Texan II. It has a 57" wingspan and can be powered by .40 to .46 engines. Plan number is 555. A rc airplane built from the plans can be seen in the third picture below.

The last pictures below is of the T-6A Texan II built from Air Model Club plans for sale by the AMA Plans Service. Its wingspan is 60" and it is listed under plan number 2689 for scale gas.

The T-6A Texan II is virtually visibly identical to the PC9. There is no reason why you shouldn't take those rc airplanes and convert them to T6A Texan II color schemes.

Seagull Models has a 63" wingspan model for conversion to a T6A Texan II.

If you like slope soarers, check out the Cantebury Sailplanes 48" wingspan airplane that can be converted to a T-6A Texan II.